Beyond a ‘Bad Hair Day’: The meaning behind ‘Hair Love’
This is the essay I wrote as a review on the Oscar winning short film ‘Hair Love’
Is a so-called “bad hair day” really bad? Annoying? Endless? Incurable? People often complain about having a bad hair day, but what does that term truly mean? A bad hair day should not make you feel insecure about your hair, and this message is beautifully portrayed in the short film ‘Hair Love’.
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it’s “a day when one’s hair is unattractive and unmanageable.” It could also refer to a day filled with numerous problems and annoyances.
Personally, I view it as an overused term. People sometimes feel unflattering due to their hair and its appearances. However, “These reasons should not define who you are.” I believe we should take pride in our uniqueness.
I believe that even on a bad hair day, if you embrace your inner beauty and culture, you’ll be able to rock you hair everyday!
Many coming-of-age short films focus on embracing one’s own beauty. I’m flabbergasted and happy to see this genre beginning to include themes like race, culture, and family, which are important factors for a person’s unique beauty and identity.
Consider Sony Pictures’ 2019 animated short film, ‘Hair Love,’ directed by Matthew A. Cherry, Everett Downing Jr., and Bruce W. Smith. It tells the heartwarming story of seven-year-old Zuri attempting to style her thick, black African hair by watching her mother Angela’s YouTube video, but initially failing. Stephen, Zuri’s black American father, tries to help but also struggles. Eventually, Zuri and Stephen watch the video together, determined, and finally succeed in styling her hair. The film later reveals Angela in a hospital room, bald from chemotherapy, highlighting the family’s strength and unity in the face of adversity. ‘Hair Love’ celebrates Zuri’s acceptance of her hair’s texture and versatility and challenges the stereotype of unloving, uninvolved Black fathers through the supportive relationship between Zuri and Stephen. The film’s ending, with a heartwarming family reunion, is particularly moving. The short film emphasizes the coming-of-age genre through specific scenes where Zuri overcomes a significant obstacle: doing her hair. The background score sets a tone that expresses triumph at that particular moment.
‘Hair Love’ sets an example for coming-of-age films by highlighting the importance of embracing diversity in gender, race, culture, etc. It sends a powerful message and is deserving of the Academy Award it won.
If you ever find yourself having a “bad hair day” like Zuri in ‘Hair Love,’ I hope you’ll remember the film’s uplifting message of self-esteem and beauty: “You are beautiful just the way you are.” This short film is a much-needed boost to our self-esteem, reminding us not to feel insecure about our looks, hair, or skin.
Ahla is a high school student at Bob Hawke College and a newcomer to creative writing. For more information, visit her website: www.ahlaka.com
My favourites qoute from the short film is when Zuri recalls her mother’s advice: “The road ahead might look rough, but you can make the journey with a little bit of work and a whole lot of love.”